Madison Plans to Host Workshops to Discuss Future of Former Academy School Building

MADISON, CT — The future of the former Academy Street School has been up in the air for some time. Plans at one point included developing the space for a cultural center for the arts but that has been put on hold after the Shoreline Arts Alliance ended its lease agreement with the town this summer.

Now town officials are eying a workshop to gauge public feedback on the future use of the Academy Street School. A tentative date for the first workshop is Sept. 26 and followed by another workshop on Oct. 8.

See below for what Madison Board of Selectmen members discussed at a recent meeting regarding the planned workshops, via meeting minutes.

1. Discuss and take action to approve calling Workshops to solicit public opinion on the future use of the Academy Street School as follows: September 26, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. prior to the Regular BOS Meeting in Town Campus Room A and October 8, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. in Town Campus Room

A DISCUSSION: Selectwoman Walker asked that these be held as Public Hearings and she cautioned that the timeframe for the proposed meetings may be difficult for parents to attend. Selectman Hale stated that he liked the concept of calling a Workshop versus a Public Hearing; and stated that a Workshop would be beneficial for garnering public interest.

Selectman Goldberg stated that he agreed but added that he also agreed with Selectwoman Walker that the workshop should be structured. Selectwoman Walker stated that there have been three committees that have reviewed possible uses for the building and she stated that this information should be summarized for the public. She added that the financial impact for the different ideas for the building should be considered.

First Selectman Banisch stated that the point of the workshop should be to consider a new direction for the building. Selectwoman Walker added that suggestions may not consider what the cost and time needed for the project to move forward. The Board discussed that this item could be voted on at the next meeting on September 12, 2016 with a structure from the Town Employees overseeing the workshops.

Written by Brian McCready

(Editor's Note: We first published this story earlier in the week but here it is again in case you missed it.)